A UK In-plant Conference

Last month, 50 higher-ed UK in-plant managers met at the Shrigley Hall Hotel in Cheshire, England, for the Association of Print Managers in Education (APME) conference. This year’s theme was “A Culture of Change,” so sessions focused on adapting to the modern world and providing new and creative solutions.

Topics included Web-to-print, the Cloud, diversification of services, interpersonal skills, goal setting, cost advantages of in-house print operations and cross-channel marketing campaigns. One lively discussion focused on the true sustainability of recycled paper and how long print has left as the premier means of communication.

Representing the US-based Association of College and University Printers (ACUP), Bob Donahue, of Franklin University, gave an overview of how he started a new print and mail operation at his Ohio university and is expanding it.

APME Attendees gather outside Shrigley Hall.

During the conference, Andrew Scott, head of Print Design Services at Glasgow Caledonian University, stepped down as APME’s Scottish Chair after 16 years, and Martin Parker of the Robert Gordon University was appointed in his place. The three-day conference included an award ceremony in which numerous in-plants were recognized, as well as a 1920s-themed party—which may seem strangely familiar to anyone who attended April’s ACUP conference. (“Total coincidence,” insists Scott, who happened to have attended both events).